I just got to see everyone on TV. Takahashi's long program was the one that moved me the most. (Act surprised.) This isn't to take away from anything Hanyu did; they showed his short and long programs, and obviously the guy's on his way to be a skating giant. But he still skates like a boy (not like a junior skater, I hasten to add, but like someone not yet matured into his power). Daisuke skates like a man, a mature artist and a commanding technician. I can't parse the skating skills and whatnot--that's not how I look at skating. But when I compare things like the footwork and spins of Daisuke to the other skaters in this competition, what I see is Dai's fluidity. His footwork and spins seem to unroll like ribbon, like dance, from somewhere inside the music. All the other skaters--Miner, Fernandez, even Hanyu to a degree--seem to be flinging themselves around in a dutiful sort of way. At times they're almost lumbering around, as if their feet have weights in them. After a few measures, I look away and continue with my task of organizing my sewing materials. (Exception: what an Ina Bauer Hanyu has!) With Daisuke, I'm riveted to the screen. There are a few movements in his spins that I can't even imagine how he made, because they seem to violate the laws of physics. How can he insert that little sideways kick without falling over? At those moments, I think that the force that keeps him upright is the music itself. This guy has something no one else has, and I'll watch him avidly no matter what ranking he attains with his performance. It's pure sorcery. Congratulations to all three medalists! But a special cheer for Daisuke.

This has to be the best post in this thread (for us Dai fans). Well said Olympia!

I think it makes sense for him to stay at home, there are only two weeks left until the GPF and travelling from Japan to Russia is a lot better than going from Sendai to Toronto and back across the ocean to Sochi (especially considering jet lag, etc). I doubt anything major could be accomplished in the 10 days they'd have to work together in Canada, and Yuzuru apparently hasn't been home in a couple months. Maybe he needs to catch up on homework too.

Because he wants to use Morozov's Russian influence for Sochi Olympics.

Originally Posted by MaiKatze

While I never will wish bad results on Daisuke, just because I love him so much, a little part of me agrees with that. And I wonder why Morozov cannot create a better program...Swan Lake SP is one of my personal Dai favourites and that's Morozov-work. It hurts so much because Daisuke has so much potential to create something amazing, but this Free is just.....I don't really think Daisuke will win any gold with it.

Considering Hanyu won the NHK Trophy, not only that, he placed 1st in the FS with two falls, I found it curious that virutally no one is screaming Takahashi is robbed in the same way with Asada beating Suzuki due to the SP.

I suppose perception is everything. Chan also doubled 3 Triple jumps in his Cup of Russia FS on his way to a blowout win in Moscow just two weeks ago with no dissent among the GS foum participants yet when Asada doubled 3 Triple jumps, and finished 2nd in the FS, it became a scandal... Likewise, the same crowd who would usually decry skater falling more than once within the same program should not win the competition, let alone that portion of the competition as well, is very, very quiet.